Apparatus and method for drying clothes

Abstract

A drying apparatus and method are disclosed. The drying apparatus includes a drying compartment and a heating device that heats air to be provided to the compartment. The heating device includes a coil through which is conducted a heated liquid, and the air is heated as it passes along the coil. The heated liquid can be provided from a source internal or external to the drying apparatus and in at least some embodiments is heated water provided from a hydronic heating device located internal to the drying apparatus. In at least some embodiments, the heated air provided through the drying compartment is returned to the heating device and recirculated through the compartment. In at least some of these embodiments, the heated air emanating from the drying compartment passes through a condensing device that removes moisture from the air before it is returned to the heating device.

1 . A drying machine comprising: 
 a housing;    a compartment capable of holding clothes to be dried;    a hydronic heating device;    a coil coupled to the point-of-use heating element, wherein the point-of-use heating element is configured to heat a fluid that is circulated through the coil and returned to the point-of-use heating element;    wherein each of the compartment, the point-of-use heating element and the coil are supported within the housing; and,    wherein air is passed along the coil so as to be heated and then is transmitted through the compartment.